Brandon Mebane - Does he fit our hybrid defense? Is he worth big money? What will 4-3 teams pay for him to play UT? Why did we only tender him at a 3rd-round level (which is void now due to new CBA rules)? He is arguably our best player. I'd like to re-sign him. If we don't, Cullen Jenkins could be a little cheaper and play the same or similar position in whatever our defense evolves into.

Cornerback - It is our obvious most glaring need. Jennings could possibly be re-signed but he'd have to move to a nickel role and isn't the type of big, physical CB Pete Carroll covets. Trufant will start but is aging and our depth is questionable. I would guess we'd sign one of the following players: Nnamdi Asomugha (long-shot, but we have the money, the need, and a big-time recruiter), Jonathan Joseph, Antonio Cromartie, Ike Taylor, Carlos Rogers, Richard Marshall.

Quarterback - Many insiders are predicting Matt Hasselbeck will start for Tennessee this season. That's fine with me. He was a great Seahawk but it's time to move forward. We're still reportedly in the mix for Kolb (though ARZ remains the heavy favorite) but I don't want to give up a 1st and 3rd (likely compensation). Otherwise, we've been linked to T-Jack and Matt Leinart. If one of those two or Clipboard Jesus starts for us, we may end up with Luck in 2012. Not sure if I'm completely against it.

Ray Edwards - It's us, Cleveland, and Philly for his services. We could probably give him the best deal. Interesting. Not sure how I feel about it. If we miss on him, Mathias Kiwanuka may be a fall-back option.

Wide Receiver - This is pure speculation but I have a feeling we'll go after a free agent WR. There are just so many on the market not to with all the cap room we have. We aren't in great shape at the position either, unless Golden Tate really does turn into Steve Smith. I have a bad feeling we will overpay for Sidney Rice (injury-prone) or James Jones (way too many drops) and I also wouldn't rule out Pete Carroll making a splash for Moss, TO, or Plaxico. Other possibilities (with no basis - just speculation) include Vincent Jackson, Malcom Floyd, Mike Sims-Walker, Braylon Edwards, and Steve Breaston.

Robert Gallery or Logan Mankins - One of these two NEEDS to be starting at LG on opening day. We have been linked to Gallery because of the Tom Cable hiring and we have the money to give Mankins a nice deal. Solidifying the offensive line was a priority during the draft so let's finish the job with a big-time mauler to put next to King Okung.

Fullback - We could re-sign Robinson or make a run at Vonta Leach. This is clearly a need that we will address.

I'm actually ok with TJack- Leinart- Charlie trio for QB. Worst case they completely suck and we end up with Luck, Barkley or Landry Jones with a much much more manageable contract. Best case they show some signs of life and we end up something like 6-10 or 7-9 and have to slightly trade up and get one of those guys like Jacksonville did this year. Mebane is apparently in Seattle, so I hope they get a deal done with him.

I'm actually ok with TJack- Leinart- Charlie trio for QB. Worst case they completely suck and we end up with Luck, Barkley or Landry Jones with a much much more manageable contract. Best case they show some signs of life and we end up something like 6-10 or 7-9 and have to slightly trade up and get one of those guys like Jacksonville did this year. Mebane is apparently in Seattle, so I hope they get a deal done with him.

Good stuff.

I, too, am OK with the QB situation. Simply put, we are going to be picking top-5 (franchise QB-range) unless one of our QBs shows a lot. The rest of our roster is just so bad that there's no way we play well for four-quarter stretches unless our QB plays well. If that is the case, that guy may be our future (MIRACLES DO HAPPEN). If not (more likely), we'll be getting a top-5 QB (PERHAPSSSSS LUCKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK)

How do you guys feel about the Sidney Rice contract/signing? He was clearly one of the best free agent receivers out there, but I wonder if the 'Hawks are going to get their money's worth with Tarvaris throwing him the ball.

How do you guys feel about the Sidney Rice contract/signing? He was clearly one of the best free agent receivers out there, but I wonder if the 'Hawks are going to get their money's worth with Tarvaris throwing him the ball.

I like the Gallery signing for you guys, though.

In what scenario will T-Jack be throwing him the ball beyond this season?

If he's bad, we'll have a top pick and draft a QB.

If he's good, your point is moot.

Every team has to reach the floor. I prefer to reach it with good players - which is what we've done with Gallery and Rice.

Maybe, maybe not. Being bad and having a top pick doesn't guarantee you draft a QB; just ask Buffalo.

Besides, since becoming the head coach, Pete Carroll has chosen to go with Charlie Whitehurst and Tarvaris Jackson. Meaning I've yet to see any evidence he actually wants a good QB. ;)

It's not maybe - it's at least probably. Especially considering Luck and Barkley will likely be available and there are literally only FOUR teams in the entire NFL who might be in the market for a young QB next draft:

BUF, MIA, OAK, SEA

And Buffalo absolutely had opportunities to take a QB - they didn't in part because these last two classes had some pretty flawed QBs (could have had Clausen, didn't - smart move), and they had a little something in Fitzpatrick... in other words - the BUF situation was an aberration. I'm confident the Seahawks will go after a potential franchise QB if Whitehurst and T-Jack don't show anything (which is what EVERYONE is predicting obviously).

It's not maybe - it's at least probably. Especially considering Luck and Barkley will likely be available and there are literally only FOUR teams in the entire NFL who might be in the market for a young QB next draft:

BUF, MIA, OAK, SEA

And Buffalo absolutely had opportunities to take a QB - they didn't in part because these last two classes had some pretty flawed QBs (could have had Clausen, didn't - smart move), and they had a little something in Fitzpatrick... in other words - the BUF situation was an aberration. I'm confident the Seahawks will go after a potential franchise QB if Whitehurst and T-Jack don't show anything (which is what EVERYONE is predicting obviously).

Kidding aside, I don't disagree that the Seahawks would be looking for a franchise QB if they had a high pick in 2012. I just think you're ignoring the number of possibilities that may prevent them from getting one.

Take, for instance, listing only three other teams who might be in the market for young QBs next year aside from Seattle. I could probably think of at least half a dozen others that could be interested depending on how their season played out and if they had a high pick.

For instance, there probably weren't many people predicting at this time last year that the Panthers would be in the market for a young QB after having just drafted Jimmy Clausen. You just never know.

Kidding aside, I don't disagree that the Seahawks would be looking for a franchise QB if they had a high pick in 2012. I just think you're ignoring the number of possibilities that may prevent them from getting one.

Take, for instance, listing only three other teams who might be in the market for young QBs next year aside from Seattle. I could probably think of at least half a dozen others that could be interested depending on how their season played out and if they had a high pick.

For instance, there probably weren't many people predicting at this time last year that the Panthers would be in the market for a young QB after having just drafted Jimmy Clausen. You just never know.

Of course I'm ignoring it because it's just as unlikely as T-Jack or CJ actually proving to be a franchise QB. I cannot envision a scenario in which this franchise, led by PC, who is used to always getting his guy, especially at QB, moves on to a 2nd-year in a row without getting their guy. Anything is possible, of course. You have Bradford. **** you.

Of course I'm ignoring it because it's just as unlikely as T-Jack or CJ actually proving to be a franchise QB. I cannot envision a scenario in which this franchise, led by PC, who is used to always getting his guy, especially at QB, moves on to a 2nd-year in a row without getting their guy. Anything is possible, of course. You have Bradford. **** you.

Heh, well that's understandable.

Sounds like it's between the Seahawks and the Broncos for the services of Brandon Mebane. I was hoping to see the Rams step up on that front, but it doesn't sound like they'll pony up.

I seriously thought it wouldnt get done. This regime has shown utter disdain for the Ruskell era players but atleast knew that they had to keep the best one. There's a chance that Cole will start on the PUP list. Since we have 0 1-tech's on the roster, hopefully Mebane goes there.

We were linked to Nick Barnett for a second, which makes you scratch your head if we're really heading to a legit base 3-4...

Branch is going to play 3-tech with Mebane moving back to the nose. Mebane's natural position is NT, he's been played out of position ever since Bernard left.

I think we were looking to sign Barnett to play him at MLB in the 4-3. He was an All-Pro as a 4-3 MLB but dropped off when the Packers went to the 3-4. There was rumor that we offered Tatupu to the Bengals for Palmer. Now we're asking him to restructure his contract. Possible that we were going after Barnett to replace Tatupu if we traded him, which would explain why the trade rumors and the links to Barnett both died at the same time.

I don't see a move to the 3-4 happening. We're just trying to get bigger, faster, and stronger everywhere. And our hybrid system requires some 3-4 type players.

I just got back from two months working in the Alaskan bush, so I have a lot of new information to process. :D It's fun. I was aware of the 'Hawks activity in free agency through the occasional newspaper, and I was pretty pleased with what they did. I've been a fan of Sidney Rice since he was a prospect, like Robert Gallery a lot at LG, and think Alan Branch is a decent player who will play a lot, even though he may not be an impact player. I also think Tarvaris Jackson is better than people think. I'm excited to watch the game tonight where the starters ought to play most of the first half. We've got some huge receivers. I like the Zach Miller signing more and more, too. At first I was a little skeptical, thinking about how much we must've paid for him when we already have John Carlson, but Carlson hasn't really broken out the way Miller has the last couple years. Nothing wrong with having two really good tight ends, though. If we start two tight end sets, Sidney Rice will be the shortest receiver on the field at 6'4". That's pretty dope. Makes it easier to use Golden Tate, too. And I hope to see a few balls go Kris Durham's direction tonight, too. Also a bit interested to see if Vai Taua gets carries tonight. He was a prospect I paid some attention to this year. I looked him up after randomly switching on the Nev-Cal game (if I remember correctly) last fall and saw a big tailback hit the hole with remarkable suddenness and then pull away through the secondary for a long touchdown. Cal's gotta have some speed back there, so I was a little intrigued. Anywho. That's my back-to-NFLDC ramble. Excited about the season starting. Go Seahawks.